The Lilac Wind of Paradjanov

Filmmaker Ali Khamraev, accompanied by cinematographer Yuri Klimenko delved into the archives, and travelled to Armenia and Georgia to honour Sergei Parajanov: one of cinema’s greats, whose vision and defiance of convention transcended borders. “Dear Sergei Parajanov. This film is for you.”

We were flooded with documentary tributes commemorating the 100th birthday of Soviet Georgia born Armenian master Sergei Parajanov. And no wonder: Parajanov was a paragonal figure to IFFR’s first generation of programmers and audiences – a filmmaker of unprecedented genius who was persecuted and even imprisoned for his art (as much maybe as for his way of life).

The film we finally chose comes from an old friend of IFFR: Ali Khmraev. His vision of Parajanov, whom he was close to for decades, struck us as the most personal one: Parajanov’s art really means something to Khamraev – it still inspires him, makes him think, experiment, strive, dream. Khamraev’s passion for Parajanov can be sensed in the interviews he conducted with some of his collaborators and admirers in the way they talk and look: happy to remember the genius who walked with them for a while. From an IFFR perspective it is gratifying to see how much space Parajanov’s visit at the festival takes up in The Lilac Wind of Paradjanov; he was happy here.

– Olaf Möller

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